| Florida State Seminoles News | | | Ranking the Big Ten/ACC Challenge games from most to least watchable (The Dagger: College Basketball Blog)
ESPN announced the schedule for next season's Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Monday. Here's a look at each of the games ranked from 1 to 12.
1. North Carolina at Indiana (Nov. 27): The crown jewel of next year's slate pits a pair of blue bloods who haven't faced each-other since 2005. It's a shame it comes one year late for Tyler and Cody Zeller to face one-another, but this will still be a chance to gauge how viable a title contender North Carolina will be despite the loss of four likely first-round draft picks.
2. NC State at Michigan (Nov. 27): What better opportunity for these two preseason top 10 teams to establish themselves as legitimate Final Four contenders than to play each other in November? Michigan blends a vaunted freshman class with returning stars Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. NC State returns the core of a surprise Sweet 16 team and adds top recruits Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis.
3. Ohio State at Duke (Nov. 28): The last time Ohio State met Duke, the Buckeyes stormed to an 11-0 lead and never wavered, winning 85-63 in Columbus last November. It probably won't be as lopsided this year with the Buckeyes traveling to Durham and losing Jared Sullinger to the NBA and William Buford to graduation.
4. Minnesota at Florida State (Nov. 27): With Trevor Mbakwe back for a sixth year and Rodney Williams, Austin Hollins and Julian Welch all returning as well, Minnesota may be primed to return to the NCAA tournament next March. Winning at Florida State would be an early confidence booster, but it won't be easy because the Seminoles' always-stingy interior defense will be tough to crack.
5. Michigan State at Miami (Nov. 28): Miami narrowly missed the NCAA tournament last March because it lacked enough quality wins. With guard Durand Scott and big men Reggie Johnson and Kenny Kadji all back for their senior years, the 'Canes will have an opportunity to land a big early win against a Michigan State team headlined by guard Keith Appling and big man Derrick Nix.
6. Virginia at Wisconsin (Nov. 28): What this one will surely lack in points it will make up for with an intriguing storyline. Tony Bennett, who played at Wisconsin Green Bay and began his coaching career under his father at Wisconsin, will return to the Kohl Center sidelines as head coach of Virginia. | | | | |
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